Astros 4, Cardinals 2
Jose Altuve singled home the winning run in the top of the ninth inning to lead the Houston Astros to a 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night.
Carlos Corporan botched a sacrifice bunt attempt to erase a leadoff double by Clint Barmes, but advanced to second on a two-out walk to Michael Bourn. Corporan scored when Altuve dropped a base hit into center field against Mitchell Boggs (0-3). Bourn came home when Jon Jay's throw to the plate missed the mark as the Astros snapped a five-game losing streak.
Fernando Rodriguez (2-0) pitched two innings of one-hit relief and Mark Melancon survived the ninth for his ninth save, striking out Albert Pujols to end it after putting runners at second and third with one out.
Barmes had put the Astros in front with a two-run homer in the second, but the Cardinals got an RBI double from Jay in the fourth before they tied it in the sixth when Yadier Molina's single drove home Pujols.
Bud Norris allowed two runs on four hits and struck out five in six innings for Houston. St. Louis starter Chris Carpenter struck out eight and scattered eight hits over seven innings.